LaCie XtremKey review

Extreme protection for your files

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For

Incredibly solid

Eye-catching design

Decent capacity

Fast USB 3.0

Included cloud storage

Against

Bulky and heavy

Not completely indestructible

Having a small and portable USB flash drive capable of carrying around most of your important files is all well and good, but the more you take it out, the more likely it is you'll accidentally damage the drive - putting your important files in danger.

The LaCie XtremKey 32GB has been designed to be as tough and resilient as possible, while still remaining relatively portable. It's water resistant up to 200 metres (656ft), can survive 10 metre (32ft) drops and can withstand being crushed by up to 10 tonnes of pressure.

It can also withstand heats as high as 200°C (392°F) for 3 minutes and freezing conditions as low as -30°C (-22°F) for 24 hours, thanks to its ZAMAC metal alloy body.

While it's not small, it's not unbearably chunky either, and the design is certainly slick and eye catching. Though we didn't start a fire or go diving to really put the LaCie XtremKey through its paces, it certainly felt to us like a solidly built device that you could safely store your files on.

AES 256-bit encryption protects your files from dangers that the reinforced body could not, and 32GB of online secure storage is also included via LaCie's Wuala service.

Verdict

It might not be for everyone, but if you want a solid USB flash drive to keep your files safe when you're in extreme - or at least mildly perilous - situations, then the LaCie XtremKey is a robust and well-designed bit of kit.

Tech Specs

Product Type

Flash Drive

Product Family

XtremKey

Brand Name

LaCie

Storage Capacity

32 GB

Host Interface

USB 2.0

Height

2 mm

Width

22 mm

Length

74 mm

Manufacturer

LaCie

Product Model

131077

Product Name

32GB XtremKey 131077 USB 2.0 Flash Drive

Product Line

XtremKey

Manufacturer Part Number

131077

Manufacturer Website Address

http://www.lacie.com/

Marketing Information

The LaCie XtremKey is our strongest, toughest USB key yet, and features capacities up to 64GB. With capacities up to 64GB and an impenetrable shell, the LaCie XtremKey is a truly rugged USB key that stands up to the elements. The XtremKey is constructed with zamac, a metal alloy composed of zinc, aluminum, magnesium and copper that's so strong, it can withstand the pressure of a 10-ton truck.